Town of North Hempstead to Hold Memorial This Sunday for Five Airmen Killed in a 1942 Bomber Crash
Please join me and the Town of North Hempstead this Sunday to honor five airmen who 75 years ago gave their lives so that the people of New Hyde Park and their homes might be spared.
Enjoy,
Howard Kroplick
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 22, 2016
MEDIA CONTACTS: Carole Trottere, Rebecca Cheng, Sam Marksheid, and Vicki DiStefano | (516) 869-7794
Town to Hold Memorial for Five Servicemen Killed in 1942 Bomber Crash
North Hempstead, NY – The Town of North Hempstead is holding a memorial service to mark the 75th anniversary of the crash of a North American B-25A Bomber on January 1, 1942, which claimed the lives of five heroic servicemen. When one of the plane’s engines failed within minutes of take-off from Mitchel Field, the pilot veered the plane away from homes in New Hyde Park and into a sandpit. The plane, which was heavily laden with bombs, exploded on impact killing all five young servicemen aboard. The pilot, Charles Van Eeuwen, was later awarded a posthumous Distinguished Service Medal for avoiding hitting houses during the crash.
The Town will be holding an indoor ceremony at Michael J. Tully Park, as well as re-dedicating the monument outside the park which honors the five army fliers. Local veterans will pay tribute with a gun salute and the laying of a wreath in memoriam.
Sunday, January 8, 2017 at 11 a.m. at Michael J. Tully Park, 1801 Evergreen Avenue, New Hyde Park.
Brooklyn Daily Eagle, January 2, 1942
Newsday, January 2, 1942
January 26, 1942
Comments
Incredible story of 5 great, American heroes!
HOWARD: VERY NICE TRIBUTE TO THE AIRMEN LAST SUNDAY, MY FATHER TOLD ME THE STORY MANY TIMES AND i WENT TO NHP. MEMORIAL H.S. ACROSS THE STREET. THE KITCHEN WINDOW WAS CRACKED FROM THE BOMBS, IN 1942 AND MY FATHER TOLD ME WHY THE WINDOW WAS CRACKED, AND WE LIVE 1.1 MILES FROM THE LOCATION. GREAT JOB, AND THANKS ARTIE. ( I still live in the same house but have changed the window!) .